Through our Spark Placemaking program, we partnered with the developers of the major adaptive reuse Electric Works project in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Spark Placemaking, Big Car’s statewide program for public engagement and programming, was one of several collaborators on this project that began clean up and construction in spring of 2018.
Our Spark Fort Wayne team led the creative placemaking of Electric Works in partnership with RTM Ventures, the partners who developed the property. Our primary goals for Spark Electric Works programming were to honor and celebrate the history and legacy of the community and the site, and engage with nearby residents, community artists and local businesses in meaningful ways as Electric Works evolved.
This work included engagement with the community at events in Fort Wayne to gather thoughts and build community momentum throughout 2017. That fall, we began activating public space at Electric Works, the former 31-acre General Electric campus in downtown Fort Wayne. This was in advance of Electric Works being renovated into a mixed-use district of innovation, culture and community that is seamlessly integrated with other downtown development projects currently underway in Fort Wayne.
On Nov. 17 of 2017, Spark Electric Works hosted a successful first public kickoff event at Electric Works. The event resulted in 1,000-plus visitors who enjoyed a block-party style celebration with a pop-up public plaza in the street at Swinney and Broadway Avenues in front of the former GE Club. You can check out our photos and videos from our Electric Works launch event here.
The free launch event included a campus lighting ceremony, opening remarks by then Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and project partners, art activities led by Fort Wayne artists, outdoor games, local food vendors, and music. Many visitors walked to the Electric Works launch event from the surrounding neighborhoods of the site and from Christmas on Broadway, a popular annual tree-lighting celebration in Fort Wayne.
Our goals for this event were to raise public awareness of the Electric Works project, increase the public’s enthusiasm and support for Electric Works by sharing a taste of what is to come, and help a diverse group of people in Fort Wayne and beyond know that Electric Works is for them and with them. We also wanted to show that this is a place where people can get together comfortably and safely to celebrate Electric Works, Fort Wayne and it’s artists and businesses, the neighborhood, and each other.
Check out photos from the launch event here:
